UNIFIL reports that one of its patrols was struck by gunfire from Israeli forces

he United Nations peacekeeping force in Lebanon, known as UNIFIL, reported that one of its patrols in southern Lebanon was struck by Israeli gunfire on Saturday. This incident occurred despite a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel, which had generally calmed the tensions along the Lebanon-Israel border.

The UNIFIL patrol came under fire from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) around noon near Aitaroun. Although no peacekeepers were injured in this incident, their vehicle sustained damage. UNIFIL noted that this happened during a period of relative calm along the border.

The Lebanon-Israel frontier has experienced increased hostilities since the onset of the Israel-Hamas conflict on October 7, primarily involving exchanges between Israel and Hezbollah, as well as other Palestinian groups. This has heightened concerns about a potential wider conflict.

Following the commencement of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas on Friday, a source close to Hezbollah indicated that the group would also respect the ceasefire if Israel did.

UNIFIL expressed deep concern over the attack on its peacekeepers, who are committed to reducing tensions and restoring stability in southern Lebanon, and condemned the act. The force recalled previous incidents, including one last month where shelling near the village of Houla lightly wounded a peacekeeper, and another where a shell hit UNIFIL’s headquarters in Naqoura.

UNIFIL is conducting investigations into these incidents and has strongly reminded both parties of their obligations to protect peacekeepers and avoid endangering those working towards restoring stability.

Since the beginning of the conflict, cross-border fire has resulted in 109 deaths in Lebanon, including 77 Hezbollah fighters and 14 civilians, with three journalists among them. On the Israeli side, six soldiers and three civilians have been killed.

With the truce between Israel and Hamas in effect, calm has largely been restored to Lebanon’s southern border.

UNIFIL was initially established in 1978 to oversee the withdrawal of Israeli forces following their invasion of Lebanon. It was significantly reinforced after the 2006 war between Hezbollah and Israel, with its approximately 10,000 peacekeepers tasked with monitoring the ceasefire between the two sides.